There was good news for commuters in the West Country on 4 September as Network Rail re-opened the railway between Swindon and Bristol, following the nine-day closure to renew Wootton Bassett junction and improve train performance in the area.

Wootton Bassett junction, on the outskirts of Swindon, was closed for nine days between Saturday 26 August and Sunday 3 September, as part of the Network Rail’s £750 million project to renew the railway between London Paddington and the West Country and South Wales.  A team of engineers worked around the clock to replace essential track components, which will mean smoother and quicker journeys for passengers, and secure the long term future of this important stretch of railway.

Robbie Burns, Network Rail’s Western Route Director, said: “This huge investment will enhance the performance of the railway in the area and bring long-term benefits to passengers across the West Country.
“It is a tribute to the hard work and dedication of all parties involved that such a huge project was completed on time and on budget.  We appreciate that this was disruptive for passengers, and we thank them for their patience in allowing us to complete this important work.”

Working together in partnership, First Great Western and Network Rail have worked to maintain a punctual and reliable alternative service to keep passengers on the move during this essential work.

Andrew Griffiths, First Great Western's Regional Manager, said: "Completion of this work means a more reliable railway for customers now and in the future.  We realise that customers were inconvenienced while this major engineering project was carried out and we thank them for their understanding and patience over the last nine days."

During the works, 3,200 metres of rail, 15,600 tonnes of ballast and 19 points were renewed across Wootton Bassett, Rushey Platt and at Chipping Sodbury and 32 engineering trains were used to do this. The final stages of the project involved extensive testing of the new track before the line was handed back on time and re-opened to passengers this morning.